The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the annual preseason coaches poll earlier this morning. Minnesota Crookston, in their third year under the direction of Nick Weinmeister, was tabbed to finish 14th in the NSIC.
For the fifth consecutive season, traditional NSIC power Augustana was picked to win the NSIC. It’s the sixth time that the Vikings have been picked to win the Northern Sun. The University of Minnesota Duluth, whom the Golden Eagles will play three times this season, the most of any NSIC opponent, was picked to finish behind Augustana. Winona State, Minnesota State, and St. Cloud State round out the top five, respectively.
Torri Chute, an outfielder from Augustana, is the preseason Player of the Year, while 2023 NSIC Pitcher of the Year and All-Region Performer Lauren Dixon of Minnesota Duluth was picked as the preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Whitnee Curry (Jr., MIF/OF, Lincoln Neb.) was picked as the player to watch for the Golden Eagles, while senior Thayda Houser (Sr., P, Seymour, Iowa) was tabbed as the pitcher to watch for the Golden Eagles for the second consecutive season.
Head coach Nick Weimeister likes where his team is headed this season. “Our team brings back a lot of experience from the last couple of years where we have made some strides,” said Weimeister. “We have key players back in key positions, which is nice, but I am most excited to see some of our players who have not gotten as much playing time step into more prominent roles and see what kind of energy they can bring to this team.”
The Golden Eagles are less than 20 days from the season opener, as they open up 2024 in Sioux Center, Iowa, for four games, starting with Mount Marty University. First pitch with the Lancers is set for 2 P.M., as part of a doubleheader.
